Wen

by Laurann Dohner

  He dipped his head, allowing it.

  She smiled. “You're still a puppy at times, aren't you?”

  He growled and looked at her.

  She met his stare and let him go, rising. “Stay off my bed. I remember how you can shed. I'm going to go make us breakfast. I just hope I have enough food. I bet you eat twice as much as you used to, and that was about six times more than I did back then.”

  He followed her into the kitchen and sprawled out on the vinyl tile near her dishwasher. The sight of her cell phone sitting on the counter reminded her that Wen must have gone inside her purse to find it. She picked it up and ran her thumb across the screen to turn it on. Six messages waited. She grimaced, identifying the same number displayed over and over. Each one had been from Robert, her boss.

  “I'm so fired.” She set it down and yanked open the fridge. “I haven't gone shopping so I hope you don't mind eggs and toast.”

  He growled low.

  “I don't have bacon or ham. Sorry. I was waiting to get paid before I restocked the fridge. There are some hot dogs if you want meat.”

  He turned his face away.

  She laughed. “You're such a snob. You should have brought groceries and a cook if you don't want to eat what’s here or what I'm willing to make.”

  She went to work quickly, scrambling eggs and making half a loaf of buttered toast. It wasn't the best breakfast to offer a guy who could take down a large animal for a meal, but it would have to do. She loaded up his plate and set it on the table. He lifted his head, peering at her with those seemingly soulless dark eyes.

  Her neighbors would scream in terror if they saw him. He wasn't cuddly or cute. The Vampire blood had mutated the Lycan in him, so shifted VampLycans looked more like hellish beasts with their more humanoid forms.

  He rose up and tilted his head a little, staring at her in a way that conveyed his curiosity. Some emotion must have shown in her face.

  “Do you want me to set the plate on the floor or can you shift back?”

  He closed his eyes and she watched him start to change. The soft noises as bones shifted and popped had her wincing but she'd grown up with seeing shifters do their thing. The hair receded to smooth, tan skin, and one handsome guy emerged when he stood.

  “Thank you. Why were you looking at me with a smirk on your face? I wasn't going to mess up your floor by getting food all over it.”

  “That wasn't it. I was just thinking about how fierce you look in shifted form. I'd forgotten.”

  He walked past her and entered her bedroom. She frowned. “The food is in here.”

  He returned in less than a minute with a towel wrapped around his waist. “I really should have brought a spare set of clothes with me when I visited you. I don't want to put on my pants and nothing of yours will fit me.” He took a seat at the table. “This smells great. I'd kill for a steak though.”

  “Me too. It's not in my budget often.”

  He grimly regarded her and then glanced around her apartment. “I can tell.”

  “Don't insult my place.”

  “It's a dive.” He held her gaze.

  “It's affordable and it comes with bars over the windows. They don't have those in nice neighborhoods. The building is old too, and built more solid. New construction isn’t as sturdy. These walls aren’t as easy to tear through from one apartment into the next. I checked, and they have beams set apart every few feet. Some newer places build with cheap framing and only insulation between the walls.”

  “How do you know this?”

  “Stud finders help me locate the beams behind the walls.” She shrugged. “I use technology to help protect myself since I’m only human.”

  “Graves never told me how bad things were for you when he sent me reports.”

  “Who’s Graves?”

  “The Lycan I had checking on you from time to time. He's a relative of mine. My mom keeps in touch with some of her mother's people.”

  “Great. I take it that you trust him somewhat, since he probably knows I'm someone he could use against you if the need arises. You showed an interest in a human.”

  He frowned. “I've worked a lot with him and his brother Micah in the past, when I had to leave Alaska. They are both good guys. I knew neither of them would hurt you or tell anyone I keep tabs on you. They’re family, and they honor the loyalty that goes with that.” He glanced around the apartment again. “I wish Graves had told me you were struggling. I would have sent you money.”

  “It's kind of tough to get a decent-paying job in the human world when you come from a clan. I was taken to Alaska when I was almost a year old and didn't leave until I was fifteen. There were no records of my life during that time, and let's just say I never did the high school thing. Mom couldn't get me registered. Getting a driver’s license was a bitch and a half. Mom told them I was homeschooled and we'd grown up in a hippie type community. She still had my birth certificate though, so we managed. Every employer asks for a high school diploma, which I don't have. It means shit jobs no one else wants. They just require a pulse and you showing up on time.”

  “You barely have any food.”

  “I was waiting for payday. I said that, didn't I? This is a short week. I just paid my rent. Look at me. I don't starve. I'm just not eating steak every night.”

  His eyes narrowed as he silently watched her.

  “What? I do the best I can. I have my own place. I used to have a roommate when I first left my mom. That sucked. Try living with a stranger just to be able to afford the rent. She brought strange men home sometimes. I was always afraid one of them wouldn’t be human. I’m doing way better now.”

  “Your furniture is old and doesn't match.”

  “So? You were just shedding hair on my floor.”

  “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “Don't be a snob, Wen. That's what I'm saying. I don't look down on you for having a snout sometimes, so don't lift your nose over my home.”

  “I just hate that you struggle.”

  “Welcome to my world.” She shoved her fork into the eggs and took a bite. “When does our adventure into getting me killed start?”

  He scowled. “Today. I'm not going to let anything happen to you.”

  “Fantastic.” She managed to not roll her eyes. “Where?”

  “Washington state.”

  “That's a drive.”

  “We're flying. I brought a plane with me.”

  “You fly now? You got a pilot's license?”

  “No. Micah has one and he's with me. It's his plane.”

  She glanced at the curtained window. “He's outside? You left him out there all night?”

  “No. Of course not. We booked rooms at a hotel a few miles from here.”

  “What time do we leave?”

  “As soon as we finish eating and showering. You'll need to pack light. We're supposed to be on the run with enforcers searching for us. Do you have a backpack?”

  “Yes. So this Micah is our backup? That's good to know we're not going in alone.”

  “It's just going to be you and me. He's only flying us there. I want him clear of danger once we reach where it was reported the rogues hang out.”

  “Ah. He's family. Got it.”

  “What the hell does that mean?”

  “You're taking me into this mess but keeping his ass safe.”

  “I'd never let anything happen to you.”

  “How many rogue Weres are there supposed to be protecting this ghoul maker jerk?”

  “About a dozen. Horton keeps a few of his nest with him too. He became the master since his died. I was told he’s leading less than four Vamps at most, at any given time.”

  “This ghoul maker is named Horton? No wonder he’s an ass. I would be too with that kind of name. Is your intel good?”

  “Yes.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  “Micah and Graves trust their sources.”

  “Only a dozen rogue Lycans
, plus a few Vamps.” She chewed on a piece of toast. “Simple, right?” She hoped he heard her sarcasm.

  “I can protect you.”

  “Who’s going to protect you? You're one against bad odds. I know you’ve been trained to fight since you could walk, but give me a break.”

  “They'll want to gain information from me, and that means they'll need leverage.”

  She almost choked, and had to fight to swallow the food in her mouth. She glared at him. “Me. I knew I was bait.”

  “Leverage,” he corrected. “They won't hurt you because they'd have nothing to use against me otherwise.”

  “You mean they won't kill me.” She had a bad feeling. “I'm going to be a Vamp snack, aren't I? Damn it, Wen!”

  He snarled and his eyes turned black. “I'll rip out their goddamn fangs if they even think about biting you.” He slammed his fist down on the table. “You think I'd allow it?”

  She dropped her gaze and winced. The cheap tabletop had split and dented inward. “Can you avoid breaking my stuff?”

  He glanced down. “Sorry. They'll keep their fangs out of you and their hands off. I just meant that they'll know you're my vulnerable spot to get me to talk to them. They'll want intel on VampLycans since they obviously want to start a war. They'll keep it friendly, so I don't foresee you being in any real danger.”

  “You're going to feed this Horton bullshit.”

  “Yes. I’ll wait for the first opportunity to kill him after I’ve figured out what he’s done and who’s involved with him.”

  “When the Vamps are sleeping?”

  He nodded again. “It should be easy. I doubt most of those Lycans stick around all day to guard this asshole.”

  “Right. You said he was now a master. He'd already be dead if he was stupid. He managed to survive before when you said his nest was taken out. I think you're sorely underestimating this zombie maker, and it's a bad move.”

  “We'll learn the full scope of the situation once we get there.”

  “Right.” She lost her appetite. “Oh boy. How exciting. We're going in blind and with low expectations. This is totally going to turn out great.”

  Wen arched an eyebrow and frowned.

  “Damn VampLycans and their egos. Let me clue you in, honeybun. This isn't going to be a picnic without ants. These are freakin' Vampires and Weres who want to go to war with your kind. They aren't harmless or stupid. Rogues are crazy and logic doesn't fit into their daily lives. You underestimating them is going to get us both killed.”

  “Honeybun?” He appeared amused.

  “That's the only thing I just said that you focused on? Come on, Wen. This isn't a game. If it turns to shit, you can take off but I can't run as fast as you do. I'd only slow you down, so my ass is going to be dinner or a chew toy. They'll catch me.”

  “You think I'd abandon you?”

  She closed her eyes and lowered her chin. “You did before.”

  Wen slowly stood and unclenched his fists. “I couldn't stop your mother from leaving. We've been over this.”

  “I just think you're not giving this zombie maker creep enough credit. These guys are dangerous. You do have an ego problem. You think nobody can ever get the best of you but you need to see that this isn't some game.”

  He approached her and the urge to pull her into his arms almost overpowered him. He resisted. “I do know. I lost my brother. He was killed on the job.”

  She peered up at him. One of her eyebrows arched in question.

  “I was attempting to underplay the risks so you'd feel safer.”

  “I know the truth, Wen.” She reached out and placed her palm on his chest. “That's why you came to me. Rogues are nuts and don't live by any kind of rules. They are killers. It's why they need to be taken out. You're hoping for the best but we need to be prepared for the worst. You want me to feel better? Take this more seriously and stop trying to make it sound as if it's going to be a breeze.”

  “Okay.” He admired her for her courage. He always had. “I honestly don't think you're going to be in that much danger or I wouldn't take you along. They'll want to use you against me. They'll see you as my weakness but we both know otherwise. You're the one they'll underestimate, Gerri. You're smart and resourceful. I taught you how to fight. You're not helpless. You said you killed a Vamp who came after you. How many humans can claim they’ve done that other than those who’ve stumbled across a Vamp while it was day sleeping? You took him out when he was awake and coming after you. There's a huge difference.”

  “I knew what he was and how to kill him.”

  “Exactly. You fought back. You always impressed me when I trained you. You use your smaller size as an advantage. They won't see you as a threat. You're my backup. It won't be me alone against them.”

  She nodded. “Okay.”

  “Go shower and pack light. Bring warmer clothes. The forecast is cloudy and some rain where we're going. I checked the weather.”

  “Aren't you going to shower with me?”

  He glanced down her body. “If I do, I'll fuck you again. We need to get going. Micah is expecting to hear from me. I'll shower after you're done.”

  “Okay. I’ll do that now and braid my hair.”

  “Leave it down.”

  “It’s a pain in the ass if I don’t braid it.”

  “I like it down.”

  She sighed. “It’ll become a tangled mess.”

  “You had it down yesterday.”

  “Because I was running late.”

  “Leave it down, G.L.”

  “Whatever.”

  She left him and entered her bedroom. He waited until the water came on before he went in search of his cell phone. He pulled it out of his pants pocket.

  “It's about time,” Micah announced. “Where the hell have you been?”

  “Get the plane ready. I’ll meet you there in about half an hour. I'm with Gerri and she's agreed to help us.” He hung up before Micah could ask more questions.

  Was he going to get Gerri killed? He stared at the open bathroom door, listening to her splash around in the shower.

  He clenched his jaw. He'd do anything to keep her safe. Part of him was tempted to just leave her there.

  He glanced around her bedroom and anger rose. She lived with bars over her windows in a neighborhood that reeked of Vamps. He'd smelled them the night before when he'd entered the area. She wasn't safe if he left her, either. It would be better if he kept her by his side.

  Wen had to admit he might have come to that conclusion for purely selfish reasons. He wanted to spend every second he could with her. It was the first time in years that he'd truly felt alive.

  Chapter Four

  “I have to handle these people.” Wen jerked his chin in the direction of the airport employees.

  Gerri translated that to mean Wen needing to mess with their minds so nobody asked too many questions. She winced but didn't protest. It wasn't right to mind control people but it was necessary. Wen would want his travel plans kept secret and under the radar.

  “I'll just wait here while you do your mojo thing. How do you get around the cameras? All airports have them, even these small ones.”

  He reached up and tipped his sunglasses higher by half an inch so she could see his eyes. They began to glow. “The cameras are in the ceilings.” His eyes dulled in color and he dropped the sunglasses back onto the bridge of his nose. “Go outside and give Micah your bag.” He fixed his focus out the big window. “See the plane with the guy wearing the leather jacket? That's him. He's already got my bag. Give him yours so we can get in the air. We're already behind schedule.”

  She followed his line of sight and spotted a small plane. It was a six-seater, from her guess, and didn't look as bad as she’d feared. The pilot was crouched down inspecting the tires on the thing. He was a big man in that position but that wasn’t a surprise, since she knew he was a Lycan. They weren’t known for being tiny. “He knows I'm with you?”

  Wen fr
owned. “Yeah. I told him I was bringing you along. Go on, Gerri. This will take a few minutes. Tell Micah I want wheels up in five.”

  She nodded and strode toward the exit door. She didn’t worry about an employee being curious about her, knowing Wen would handle it. She pushed open the glass and stepped onto pavement. It was a small airport that didn't deal with big planes. She approached the guy, who was a good hundred yards out. He had straightened a little and opened a side compartment door, shuffling bags.

  “Hi, Micah,” she called out. “Wen said wheels up in five.”

  “Hey, legs. No problem.” He avoided hitting his head on the plane and turned.

  He kind of looked like Wen, with the blue eyes and dark hair. The family resemblance ended there, except he was also handsome. His mouth dropped open when he saw her. He abruptly shut it, and his nose wrinkled as he sniffed.

  She paused about five feet away from him. The wind blew toward her, which meant he'd have a hard time picking up her scent. She didn't help him out by stepping closer. “Legs? Is that what you called me?”

  “I thought you were Sherry.” His eyes narrowed and he sniffed again.

  “I'm Gerri. With a G. I take it you call this Sherry person legs?”

  He opened his mouth again, then closed it. “Sorry. My mistake. I thought Wen said we were picking up someone by the name of Sherry.” He recovered and took a few steps closer. “Hand me your bag.”

  She backed off a little. He wanted to get a whiff of her so he could tell what she was. Legs. He was also lying. He knew this Sherry person, and had a nickname for her. He thought she'd be someone else.

  “Who’s Sherry?”

  “Nobody. Can I have your bag? You said Wen wanted to take off.”

  “I'm not a Lycan like you but I can smell bullshit.”

  Surprise registered for a split second but he masked it fast. “You're like Wen?”

  “Nope. One hundred percent grade-A human, with no extras.” She shrugged the strap of her backpack off her shoulder and offered it to him. “Who’s Sherry?”

  He spun away, loading her bag into the plane. “Nobody.” His smile looked forced when he faced her again. “I take it you know about others?”